Posted on

Tue, 11/12/2013 - 6:44pm

Maps highlight major opportunities
to curb pollution, spur economic development

(Los Angeles,
CA – November 13, 2013) Today, the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and the Environmental Defense Fund released a set of maps
titled “Los Angeles Solar and Efficiency
Report (LASER): Atlas of
Investment Potential for LA County,” which
shows that nearly 29,000 local job years could be
created if merely 5 percent of the rooftop solar
energy generating potential in LA County was realized.

Capturing this 5 percent of solar capacity would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.25 million tons, equivalent to avoiding the
emissions of more than 250,000 cars annually.

LASER
maps also indicate that nearly 1.5 million buildings in LA County were built
before energy efficiency codes went into effect. This means that 80% of all buildings in LA County have
elevated potential for cost-saving, energy efficiency investments.

The
LASER Atlas contains profiles of 9 sub-regions across LA County, mapping the
areas in each sub-region where there is elevated potential for solar generation and energy efficiency improvements for local buildings. The LASER
Atlas also identifies where these investments are needed the most. There is significant overlap between
areas of strong physical potential as defined by infrastructure, and
disadvantaged areas as identified by environmental health and socioeconomic
data.

EDF
commissioned and the Luskin Center produced the LASER Atlas to provide a tool
to help local decision-makers and community members think strategically about
investing new state funding. In particular, cap-and-trade proceeds stemming
from AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act, and Proposition 39,
the California Clean Energy Jobs Act, will results in billions of dollars to
mitigate climate change pollution, expand renewable energy generation, and
create jobs in California.

“Together,
EDF and the Luskin Center have created a powerful resource that can help the LA
region unlock a cleaner energy future,” said Colleen Callahan, deputy director of the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. “Combined with
California’s innovative climate policies, the ‘LASER’ Atlas can impact how the region invests new state resources to address
pressing environmental challenges while providing job opportunities in its most
impacted communities.”

“This study sends a clear message to Angelenos – the potential to invest
in LA’s clean,
renewable energy economy and build healthier communities is huge. We hope these maps become an
effective tool for local elected officials and community advocates as they look
to seize those opportunities,” said Jorge Madrid, coordinator
of partnerships and alliances with EDF.

Many
state leaders have already worked to ensure renewables, including solar, become
a staple of California’s energy supply and economic growth. AB 1532, sponsored by the Speaker of the
Assembly John A. Pérez, sets up a broad framework for how
cap-and-trade auction proceeds should be allocated in the coming years. It
includes investing in opportunities to help California
reach its mandated goal of33% renewable energyby2020, and directing at least 25
percent of proceeds to projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.

“California has become a global leader in combating climate
change, due in part to innovative state policies and projects like the ‘LASER’
maps that provide us with a pathway to lower emissions and a more sustainable
economy,” said Speaker Pérez.

The
LASER Atlas underscores how energy efficiency investments can reduce demand for
electricity, thus lowering climate change emissions while at the same time
making buildings more livable and saving money for residents, businesses and
taxpayers.

This
is important because under a “business-as-usual” scenario, the LA region is
projected to experience a tripling in the number of extreme heat days in the
downtown and urban core by mid-century, and four times the number of heat days
in the valleys and at higher elevations, according to a separate UCLA study
lead by Alex Hall, and mapped in the LASER Atlas.

“The LASER
maps help visualize not only the stark challenge we face in preparing the LA
region for the impacts of climate change, but also the enormous opportunity we
have to create good jobs and economic opportunity while meeting that
challenge.”

- Kate Gordon, Vice President, Next Generation

“In its
efforts to identify energy efficiency opportunities and create jobs, the Labor
Management Cooperation Committee of IBEW Local 11 and Los Angeles Chapter of
the National Electrical Contractors Association have found Profiles
of Clean Energy Investment Potential in LA County to be a very valuable
tool. The profiles have helped us target our marketing efforts, provide
data to local political leaders and identify job growth opportunity.”

- Joe Sullivan, Director of Energy
Solutions, IBEW/NECA/LMCC

“It’s
critical that leadership in Greater Los Angeles build resilient communities as
the region prepares for the impacts of climate change. The clean energy
potential profiled in the LASER maps can serve as a guide to the leaders
looking to achieve a cleaner, more prosperous future.”

- Krista
Kline, Managing Director, LA Regional Collaborative

"In our
work providing solar to low-income families, the Atlas is a welcome
and helpful tool. It is striking to so clearly see the
large opportunities in LA County for clean energy investment both in terms
of potential solar capacity and the region's environmental and economic
needs."

"These
maps will give new urgency to the discussion about how we adapt to climate
change at the neighborhood level. They will help us organize for more
energy efficiency programs that keep our homes cool during extreme heat days,
while creating jobs and helping us transition away from dirty energy."

- Jessica Goodheart, RePower LA Project Director, LANNE

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Environmental
Defense Fund(edf.org), a
leading national nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to
the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law and
innovative private-sector partnerships. For more information, visitwww.edf.org/california.Follow us on Twitter@EDF_CAand read our blog athttp://blogs.edf.org/californiadream

The
Luskin Center(innovation.luskin.ucla.edu), unites the intellectual
capital of UCLA with forward-looking civic leaders to address the most pressing
issues confronting our community, nation, and world. They work closely
with elected officials, non-profit, community, and business leaders to address
environmental sustainability in Los Angeles through a mixture of scholarship,
research, and community engagement.